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1500 BCE
Maya Empire Forms
The empire truly begins when these people began cultivating maize. -
Period: 800 to 1000
Maya Empire Starts To Decline
Factors such as overpopulation, deforestation, soil erosion, and disease contributed to this decline. -
May 22, 1428
Aztec Empire Forms
This was when they allied with Tenochtitlan, Tetzcoco, and Tlacopan, forming the Aztec Triple Alliance. They won the battle for regional control, collecting tribute from conquered states. -
Jan 1, 1438
Incan Empire Forms
This is when Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui took the throne from his brother Inca Urcon. -
Period: Feb 23, 1517 to
Spanish conquest of the Maya
Spanish conquistadores started to destroy and kill the Mayan cities and people. The Spanish were armed with artillery, muskets, and steel swords while the Maya had only spears and bows. The invaders brought new diseases to the Maya, which ultimately killed most of them. -
Period: May 26, 1519 to Aug 13, 1521
Battle of Tenochtitlán
This battle saw the Spanish trying to take over the Aztec Empire. Hernán Cortés led his small army of European soldiers and numerous Indigenous allies to victory against the Aztecs. -
Aug 13, 1521
Aztec Empire Falls
The Aztec Empire fell to the Spanish in 1521, ultimately ending the Aztecs. -
Nov 16, 1532
Incan Empire Ends
This is when Francisco Pizarro captured the Inca Emperor, Atahualpa due to inferior weapons and battle tactics that the Spanish had. -
Nov 16, 1532
The Battle of Cajamarca
This battle was when Francisco Pizarro led a small Spanish force and seized the Incan ruler Atahualpa. -
Period: Nov 16, 1532 to Sep 24, 1572
Conquest of Peru
The Spanish wanted to conquer the Inca Empire for its wealth and riches, including gold, silver, and other resources. Francisco Pizarro is best known for defeating the Inca empire with his 180 men and 37 horses that sailed to Peru in 1531. -
Sep 24, 1572
Last Incan Stronghold Discovered
The last Inca stronghold was discovered, and the final ruler, Túpac Amaru, was captured and executed, bringing the Inca empire to its end. -
Maya Empire Ends
Small Maya civilizations continued until the Spanish conquered Nojpetén, the last independent Mayan city-state.